WorkForce West Virginia says that rate compares to 6.3 percent in November. It says the number of unemployed state residents dropped by 2,600 last month.

Since December 2013, total nonfarm payroll employment has risen by 8,000 in the state.

Among the employment gains last month were 1,000 in professional and business services, 900 in mining and logging and 600 in construction. Employment losses included 900 each in government and in educational and health services.

Nationally, the unemployment rate fell two-tenths of a percentage point to 5.6 percent in December.